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When Toyota announced it would produce a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle to rival the likes of Tesla’s Model S when it comes to low emissions, we knew that the model would be a game-changer.

Now, Toyota has released the official stats on its incredible Mirai fuel cell vehicle, which received an EPA rating of 312 miles per tank, with zero emissions. Comparatively, the Model S, which was previously the longest-range electric car, gets a mere 270 miles per tank.

The EPA also releases information on “MPGe,” or “miles per gallon equivalent,” which aims to fairly compare the gas mileage of traditional cars to newer, more innovative models. The Toyota Mirai received an astounding rating of 67 MPGe.

Plus, one of the Mirai’s greatest advantages over EVs is that its fuel cell engine can be refueled very quickly—just like how a gas tank can be filled up in minutes—unlike EVs, which take a while to charge entirely.

What do you think of the impressive Toyota Mirai miles per tank? Let us know in the comments.

A flying car may be your next vehicle! Sure, it may take a few years, and a few hundred thousand dollars, but it’s a FLYING CAR!

Sometime in the distant future, we’ll have flying cars. Well, maybe not that distant. In fact, several new companies have recently released details about plans to produce, sell, and deliver several flying cars within the next few years, some as early as 2017. The future is finally here.

So, like the Jetsons, right? The flying cars companies like Terrafugia, AeroMobil, Moller International, and PAL-V are developing are basically small engine planes with foldable wings. Nonetheless, they work as both cars and planes, assuming you can find an airstrip nearby.

What are the advantages to having a flying car? Aside from being able to say you have a flying car, there aren’t many pros to owning one of these cars, unless you fly everyday of course. According to CNN, the regulations and red tape involved in these vehicles are the biggest hurdles, especially because they have to pass both FAA and automotive safety regulations.

How do I get my hands on one? Right now, companies like AeroMobil are only targeting the wealthy, with the cheapest flying cars coming in around $300,000. Whether you like it or not, flying car companies may always remain a thing of the future.

Since it may be awhile before you can get your flying car, maybe you should stop by Mama’s used cars to try out our more “grounded” models!

Ok, our tips are great, but if you just can’t bear a trip to the store, just let dad have a nap!

Father’s Day is right around the corner, a perfect opportunity to show dad how much you really care. While neck ties are a tried-and-true gift to get, believe it or not there are other gifts out there. We’ve put together a list of (car-related) Father’s Day gift ideas to help you get the perfect present.

According to AutoGuide.com, one of the best things to do is grab some tools and get to work on an old car. Working on cars has brought fathers and sons (and daughters!) together for generations, and there’s nothing quite like fixing a car with someone you care about.

If you and your dad are looking to avoid manual labor, consider going to an automotive museum. There is a car-related museum in virtually every state, a perfect opportunity to learn something new and spend some quality time with dad. Plus, if you have to drive a few hours, you can get in a mini-road trip.

Although they can be a bit pricey, going to a driving school with dad can be a memorable experience. There are tons of these schools, ranging from basic to high-speed exotic cars, which let you get behind the wheel and burn some rubber.

Last but not least, make something homemade. This is great way for kids to show their appreciation by making a key lanyard or rear-view mirror decoration. What better way to say you care?

If these ideas don’t do it for you, check out the selection at Mama’s Used Cars for some amazing Father’s Day deals!

Have you noticed that your mileage is quickly getting worse? Better read our tips on how to fix it!

There are other ways to save money on a road trip aside from shortening your trip and heading home early. You can modify the way you drive to get more bang for your buck. We at Mama’s Used Cars thought that we would share some of our tips for getting the best gas mileage as you plan to hit the road this summer.

Before You Go

Before you head out on your next adventure, it is important to make sure your vehicle is prepared. Keeping up with routine maintenance such as oil changes, replacing the air filter, checking tire pressure, etc. are important in getting the most efficiency out of your vehicle, no matter what model year it is.

Also, when you fill up your tank before setting out on your trip, choose the coolest time of day. Gas is most dense when it is cooler, so your savings can be immediate.

During Your Trip

When driving, it is important to stick to the speed limit. Not only will this reduce the likelihood of interrupting your trip with a speeding ticket, but it will also reduce the amount of time you spend starting and stopping. According to the experts at com, the closer to the set speed limit you travel, the more likely you are to sail through green lights rather than constantly stop at red lights.

Speaking of starting and stopping, using cruise control on the highway takes away the need to continually press on the gas pedal and helps to improve efficiency.

Though we all like the feel of the wind in our hair, rolling up your windows will reduce added resistance to your vehicle and increase your gas mileage by up to 10%.

We hope you find these tips helpful in increasing your vehicle’s efficiency during your summer traveling. Do you have any other tips to add? We would love to hear them in the comments below.

Dominate your allergies with these tips on how to make your car allergy-proof!

For some people springtime can mean only one thing: allergies. Whether you get a case of the sniffles or you break down at the sight of dust, there are a few ways to help beat the allergens this time of year. That’s why we’ve put together a list of ways to make your vehicle an allergy-proof car.

According to How Stuff Works, the best thing to do is clean regularly. By vacuuming out crevices in your car every two weeks or so, you’ll prevent debris build-up. Make sure the carpet and vents are especially dust-free, and make sure to get rid of any possible moisture.

If you have an older car, one major thing to check is the weather stripping around the doors. If these are even slightly damaged, moisture can get into your car. One of the most prominent allergens you’ll find in a car is mold – get rid of moisture, plain and simple.

Our last tip is to consider is going au natural. Chemicals found in some cleaners and air fresheners can be extremely volatile, causing allergies to go berserk. Consider buying all-natural products or ones that are labelled hypo-allergenic to prevent you from having any problems.

With these tips in mind you should be one step ahead of the allergens this year.

If your maintenance does not include tire rotation, it’s time to talk to your service technician about the importance of your tire health.

You might’ve heard from your friends or family that you should get your tires rotated, but when it comes to car maintenance tips, not everyone is always so thorough as to explain the answer to, “Why should I rotate my tires?”

And sometimes, it can be a little embarrassing to ask questions about something everyone else already seems to know about. “Why should I rotate my tires?” one might wonder. “Don’t tires already rotate when you drive the car?”

But there’s no shame in it! We were all newbies once. So here’s what tire rotations are all about.

As you probably know, tires get worn with use. Unfortunately, they don’t wear out evenly. Front tires lose tread more quickly than the rear tires because of the extra force exerted upon them by steering, and sometimes the tires on one specific side can get used up faster too.

Rotating your tires doesn’t refer to spinning them in place—that would be pointless. Instead, it means moving them from one wheel to another, allowing the wear to spread out and extend the life of the tires. In turn, that means less visits to the tire shop for new treads.

If you’ve got more questions about cars, just ask us Mama’s Used Cars and we’ll give you our best answer.

We are well into April, and that means spring has arrived, the weather is calling for picnics and long walks, and summer is just around the corner. April is also National Car Care month, and serves as a good reminder that our cars need a little TLC, too. This month, take time to get your car caught up on routine service, make necessary repairs, and get your car ready for the hot summer months.

According to the Car Care Council, vehicle inspections held at community Car Care Month events in 2014 revealed that a whopping 84% of vehicles required service or parts – that’s up 5% from 2013.

“Neglected vehicle care almost always means much higher costs down the line in the form of more extensive repairs or lost resale value. These results show that the majority of vehicle owners could save money by being proactive in the maintenance of their second largest investment,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council.

This month, make an appointment with a trusted technician or check your car out yourself. Either way, things that should be checked include:

Belts and hoses

Filters

Windshield wipers

Tires

Fluids

Lights

Alignment

Battery

“Whether you do it yourself or take your car to a professional service technician, National Car Care Month in April is the perfect time to focus on your vehicle’s maintenance needs to make sure it is ready for the upcoming spring and summer travel season,” said White. “Following a routine maintenance program, like the free personalized schedule and e-mail reminder service the Car Care Council offers, can help you drive smart, save money and make informed decisions.”

For the participants in the latest Edmunds Consumers’ Favorites poll, the amount of mud on their vehicle isn’t an eye-sore, it’s a trophy of the fun they just had. The dirtier, the better. The results are in, and here is the list of the seven Best Off-Roaders, as chosen by Edmunds readers. Continue reading →

Each year, CarMD studies the reliability of cars by looking at “check engine” problems, repairs and other related costs. CarMD then compiles the data in what it calls the CarMD Vehicle Health Index. This data shows consumers car maintenance and repair trends and patterns as well as the most reliable cars on sale in the past 10 years. Continue reading →